Hold a Pencil - Learn How to Hold a Pencil

The overhand grip is a popular way to hold the pencil for sketching. The overhand grip allows you to shade with the side of the pencil. It is also a useful pencil hold for vertical drawing surfaces, such as an easel. For best results with the overhand grip, sit or stand so that the arm has a full range of movement, allowing for free, expressive mark-making. The overhand grip is often demonstrated as the 'correct' way to hold a pencil for drawing, but while it is a useful method, it is no more correct than any other pencil grip.